Friday Night Hawks

The Shoppes at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA presented another installment of their monthly Indie First Fridays event on Friday December 6th. The upcoming holiday season brought a number of people to the event as new shops in the complex were either open or on the cusp of being open for business. The spirit of the season was further enhanced by the plentiful conversation which filled the evening with its good will and cheer.

The live music for the evening was performed by The Hawk Owls who was the first band to appear for the event when it began earlier in 2013. The group traveled from Sussex County, NJ and consisted of Bradley White and Mandolin, Guitar, and Vocals, Peter Lister on Guitar and Vocals, James Lashway on Bass and Vocals, and Mike Alexander on Banjo and Vocals. Their rendition of the bluegrass and folk tunes they performed filled the Castle Halls with toe tapping delights leading several of the attendees reeling in dance. Their return brought back a great many memories to a number of people who have attended the Indie First Fridays since its inception as well as created some wonderful ones who had experienced them for the first time. You can learn more about The Hawk Owls by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/TheHawkOwls.

As the memorable music played throughout the evening, those who attended the Indie First Friday event traversed throughout the Castle Inn and discovered a number of new shops offering their wares along with a warm smile to those who came to visit them. These included The Surprise Shoppe owned by a woman named Doreen who was in the midst of determining where the best areas to place her merchandise were. The well established shops were also on hand for the event and their keepers welcomed all who came to visit. These included Orion’s Toys who entreated everyone who entered to play, Custom Creations who offers custom made clothing and alterations for both men and women, and Dirt and Vine www.facebook.com/dirtandvine offering samplings of wine created by Big Creek Vineyard and Winery www.facebook.com/BigCreekVineyardandWinery along with earth ware pottery and jewelry for many to enjoy.

In addition to the new and previously established shops in the complex, a number of vendors lined the halls enticing visitors to partake of the magical qualities of their wares. These included Kitchen Goddess Nina www.facebook.com/TheKitchenGoddessNina who offers a variety of earthen goods designed to enliven the body and the soul through their essential aromas, Andrea Brock www.facebook.com/pages/Andrea-Brock-Healing/163550859721 whose Jewelry is embedded with healing stones whose energies attracts those who are in need of their unique properties, and Wendi Marionello whose jewelry brought a smile to those who envisioned it adoring their physical beings while enhancing their soul with its beauty.

The Castle Inn Gallery, which is located within The Castle Inn Complex, held an Artists’ Reception featuring the work of Jim Smeltz and Joseph Mooney. A sizable number of people attended the event with several arriving to specifically partake of the gallery’s offering while others came to visit as part of their Indie First Friday experience. In either case, the exhibit inspired numerous conversations remarking on the qualities of the work and the feelings it provoked as it was visually pleasing to the eye and soul.

The exhibition at The Castle Inn Gallery will be on display until December 30th. The Gallery’s next exhibit will feature the work of Artists and Photographers whose creative images appear in the 7th Issue of The Forwardian Arts Society’s www.facebook.com/pages/The-Forwardian-Arts-Society/91146283760 Literary and Arts Magazine titled, “Forwardian” www.facebook.com/pages/Forwardian/146331875478830. The Artists Reception will occur on Saturday January 11th, 2014 beginning at 6pm and also serve as a Publication Party to celebrate the Issue’s publication which was presented online on Tuesday December 10th at www.theforwardianartssociety.com/Forwardian-7-Contents.html. You can learn more about The Castle Inn Gallery and all it has to offer by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Inn-Gallery/159174520808670.

The art, music, crafts, holiday offerings, and the gentile conversations indicative of these joyous events at The Castle Inn created a well accustomed desire among those who visited to eagerly await the opportunity to partake of another Indie First Friday event. However, there was talk about changing the time and date of the event for various reasons. So, be sure to check their Facebook Page for news of any scheduling changes prior to attending their next event. Still, regardless of what date or time the next event will take place, those who arrive are sure to find the delights of their experienced undiminished by the friendly atmosphere prevalent throughout The Castle Inn. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the December 6th Indie First Friday in The Castle Inn 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151630970105421.1073741832.636000420&type=1.

The Indie First Friday currently takes place (as its name suggests) the first Friday of the month. The event is designed to acquaint visitors to The Shoppes at The Castle Inn and all those who set up shop in the complex. Experiences in Art, Crafts, and music is offered visitors along with some refreshments provided by various vendors. The next Indie First Friday to take place within The Shoppes at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA is currently scheduled to take place on Friday January 3rd, 2014 beginning at 5pm. However, as mentioned earlier, there may be a change in the time and date of the event. So, again, be sure to check their Facebook Page prior to attending. You’ll be able to learn more about The Indie First Fridays by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/IndieFirstFridays?ref=ts&fref=ts.

The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA was built in 1906 and was the last of the great hotels to be built in area. It housed an ice cream parlor, a mosaic floor, bowling alleys, a pool, and a billiard parlor. Performances were presented which included those given by Opera legend Enrico Caruso, Marching Band Leader John Phillip Sousa, and Big Band Leader Fred Waring along with the Pennsylvanians. This all came to an abrupt end when fire touched the Inn in the 1970s and it laid dormant until 2005 when it was purchased by Theresa Veltri and Frank Paccione who continues their endeavors to bring the Inn back as an asset to the community and all who visit it. Their next events will include “Cocoa with Santa,” the 2nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a performance given by “Sounds of Strings” on Saturday December 14th along with a Breakfast and Trolley Ride with Santa on Saturday December 21st. You’ll be able to learn more about The Shoppes at The Castle Inn and all they have to offer by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/historiccastleinn?ref=ts&fref=ts.